New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel addresses the media during his postgame press conference from Giants Stadium on Sunday, September 14, 2008.
On the win...
The goal is to score more points than the opponent, and that's what we did today. It was a great win for us.
On the win being 'extra-satisfying'...It's always satisfying to get a win. It's never about the doubters. It's about having belief in yourself, and I've always had the belief in myself that I could go out there and do it.
On the Patriots' coaches calling different plays for him...The coaches make the calls each and every week based upon what the defense does. The coaches are going to put us in the best position on the field in terms of play calling and what they think will win the game.
On whether he received any advice from Tom Brady...I talked to Tom a lot. We had many different conversations on many different aspects of the game. His big advice was to go out there, mange the game, be smart with the football, and that we have enough good players on this team to win if I do that.
On his first start since 1999...It was my first start since, what, the seventh grade? It was exciting. I went out there and it felt good. I didn't have too many butterflies. When you get out there and start playing, it just comes down to playing football. You just have to have fun and execute the offense.
On one of the Patriots' players rubbing his head for good luck...I don't know if it was for good luck. I'm sweating like crazy right now.
On Jets QB Brett Favre's interception...Let's hope that a lot of quarterbacks do that throughout the year. He's a great quarterback and I remember watching him growing up. It will be a memorable first step for me.
On the Patriots running backs...They did a great job. The running backs ran hard all game and the offensive line was great. We have great tandem of backs and we're definitely going to lean on those guys.
On it being a relief that his first start is over...It's nice. It's a relief to have it over with a win. If it wasn't a win, I'd definitely be saying something different.
On feeling comfortable with the offense after three years...I feel comfortable. I work hard each and every day with the game plan and how I prepare. I have a guy like Tom Brady to watch and learn from, so I take a lot of advice from him.
On his composure and control of the offense...A lot of it is the comfort level. It's my fourth year and it just comes down to going out there, and when you hear the play called, make sure to execute it.
On fist pump at the end of the game...It's a big win on the road in a division game. It's exciting and a special moment.
On whether he had problems controlling his emotions...Not really. It comes down to just playing football.
On his confidence knowing the coaches had not changed the game plan much...That's the biggest thing for us. We're going to do what we need to do each and every week to win, and that's what the coaches are going to do. Just because I step in at the quarterback position and don't have as much experience as Tom, we're still going to have to do the same things each and every week to win games. I felt good out there and about the game plan.
On the long pass to Randy Moss...I didn't really see it. I was on the ground at the time. I just threw it up there and I was hoping to hear the crowd go (sigh) because it's an away game. I didn't see the end result of it.
On whether he sees this as a first step...I definitely look at it like that. I'm still maturing as a quarterback. As I continue to go and make more starts, hopefully, I will make a few less mistakes and defenses will recognize that. It's definitely a stepping stone for me, no doubt about that.
On the Patriots drive following the Jets touchdown...Just the fact that we had to go down and put some points on the board, or try to run out the clock. We were able to achieve that with a few clutch first downs. It was a big drive for us.
On what he needs to improve...I'll have to watch the film and tell you next week.
